Iran says it launched missiles at two US bases in Jordan following a US attack on Larak Island in southern Iran earlier on Sunday.<\/p>\n
In a statement reported by Iranian news agencies on Sunday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the combined missile and drone operation, which it called \u201cPunishment of the Aggressor\u201d, hit the King Hussein and Al Azraq bases in Jordan.<\/p>\n
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The exchange of attacks is the first flare-up in violence between the two sides since late July.<\/p>\n
The IRGC said the strikes \u201cdestroyed the technical and repair infrastructure, as well as the enemy fighter deployment sites\u201d, inflicting significant damage.<\/p>\n
Jordan reported intercepting eight missiles soon after the IRGC announced the attack.<\/p>\n
\u201cAir defence systems intercepted eight missiles that breached the Kingdom\u2019s airspace at dawn today, Monday,\u201d the Jordanian army said in a statement.<\/p>\n
No injuries at either of the bases have been reported.<\/p>\n
\u201cAggression and crimes will not solve the enemy\u2019s desperation in attempting to weaken the Islamic Republic\u2019s control over the Strait of Hormuz, and every attack will be met with even more devastating responses,\u201d the IRGC statement said.<\/p>\n
Tehran had earlier promised to retaliate for Sunday\u2019s attack on Larak Island.<\/p>\n
The strikes risk renewing the military confrontation<\/a> as Washington shifts from its bombing campaign to a financial pressure strategy on Tehran, as the US-Israel war on Iran enters its seventh month.<\/p>\n A US official told Al Jazeera that the US strikes had targeted launchers on Larak that were set to fire rockets carrying mines towards the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n Iran\u2019s Fars news agency said that the attack by the \u201cAmerican-Zionist enemy\u201d killed and injured soldiers, without providing a figure.<\/p>\n In recent weeks, Washington has been claiming control over the Strait of Hormuz, saying that millions of barrels of oil have passed through the waterway under US military protection despite Tehran\u2019s blockade.<\/p>\n Still, attacks on ships in the strait have been reported almost daily, and Iran has maintained that the waterway is closed.<\/p>\n Sunday\u2019s strikes show that the US is still willing to use military force despite the intensified sanctions to pressure Iran to make concessions over its nuclear programme and claims of control over Hormuz.<\/p>\n Iran has previously responded to similar US attacks by launching missiles and drones at military bases hosting US troops in neighbouring countries.<\/p>\n